The Worst Brings Forth The Best

“Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’ Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink?  And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You?  When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’”  Matthew 25:24-40

The past week has not been easy for me.  With great pain, I have been watching, from afar, as a natural disaster has struck my beloved home state and seeing the damage caused to lives and property all around the area that I lived.  As I have been going through several images of relief efforts, I have been in tears this morning.  Tears of sorrow for those that have been forced to leave their homes.  Tears of sadness for those that have been injured or worse.  It is overwhelming.

My tears are also of hope and pride.  So many companies and resources have been called into action.  H-E-B Grocery, a Texas-based chain of stores, has mustered supplies and volunteers.  Police, Fire, and Medical forces from all over have kicked into high gear, not to mention our Armed Forces.  Places like the George R. Brown Convention Center and Falcon Steel’s Warehouse are being used as shelters for evacuees.   Native Houstonian, Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale, has opened his Gallery Furniture stores to take in those needing shelter.  Several states have already sent relief forces to South Texas.  A great many people, owning boats, have hooked up and headed down to help rescue many more still caught in the floods.  If an individual has had the means, he/she have taken it upon themselves to lend a hand.  This is an emotional time, all around.

Amid a nation attempting to tear itself apart with racial issues, people of various ethnic backgrounds have proven that “Loving one another” is still stronger than those that are bent on destroying goodness.  They have shown that we can come together when the going gets tough.  We can stand united and MUST continue to do so, long after this recent disaster is over. 

“For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.” Matthew 18:20

Highway to Heaven

“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it.”  Proverbs 3:27

When you hear the phrase “highway to Heaven,” what comes to mind?  Do you fill your thoughts with “what I must do to get to Heaven”?  Well, good luck with that notion.  We can’t do our way to Heaven.  Only in our Savior, can we possibly reach that kingdom.  Instead, my thoughts turn to is “What beneficial thing can I do along the way?”  Do I have the power to make a difference?  Then, why not?

Yesterday, my heart was saddened with the news of famous actor, comedian, and humanitarian, Jerry Lewis, had passed away.  While I had watched numerous movies with his zany humor, especially partnered with the late Dean Martin, it was his life after acting that took a particular interest to me.  He turned to a different power.  The power to help others.

Since 1952, Mr. Lewis dedicated his life to the efforts of raising fund for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.  This organization was created for medical services and research to combat MD and other diseases of the nervous system that affect some quarter of a million kids, as well as adults.  Most notably, he was responsible for annual telethons, raising money to fund ongoing research for these diseases, which he did for 46 years.  I recall watching several years of the charitable events.  Each year, I could see the face of this once young and vibrant comedian turn older.  His eyes looked more and more weary, each year that passed.  At times, he would appear so physically exhausted, I wondered what kept him going.  The answer was: his passion for helping the children.  It gave him an inner strength to keep going forward.  Mr. Lewis was a prime example of how someone with fame and fortune can use their talents to serve a Godly purpose.   

“Bear one another’s burden, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.”  Galatians 6:2 is clear on taking up the burdens that other people are forced to carry.  To help those, especially when they cannot help themselves, is fulfilling one of Christ’s commands to love our neighbors, as ourselves (Matt. 22:39).  We each have the power and ability to teach, build, counsel, among several other talents.  These serve no end when they remain idle.  They do, however, serve and please God (Heb. 13:16).  

How accomplished do you feel when you are able to help others?  Maybe it’s helping your friend do repair work on their house.  It could be doing a little yardwork for a neighbor that is physically unable.  Or, dropping off some food to someone that has been physically ill.  The possibilities end only where we choose to turn away and ignore a situation.  We all want to get to Heaven, right?  The real question, we all must ask, is: how will you choose to spend the time walking that highway?

Bow of War, Bow of Peace

“I set My bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a sign of a covenant between Me and the earth.”  Genesis 9:13

While at some friends’ house, my wife and I experienced the awe of God’s beautiful bow, in the sky.  It was full; the colors were vivid.  I never tire of viewing the countenance of such a powerful symbol that God gave to us, so long ago.  While it is a symbol of peace and beauty, there is a second aspect that must also be remembered when beholding this curved emblem in the sky.  This is God’s weapon.  A bow that was fashioned to destroy.

For all you archers and bow hunters out there, take a good look at your choice weapon.  It was not created as a play toy.  It certainly was not built to create something.  Your bow is a weapon, plain and simple.  It is made to pierce and puncture.  In the hands of a skilled hunter, it is designed to swiftly kill your prey.  In the days of old, bows were symbols of death and destruction.  Many battles have been fought with these simple projectile weapons.  

God’s bow is no different.  He used it to destroy. God’s creation, His people, were turning against Him.  They were being corrupted by Satan’s hand.  The generations that came from Adam and Eve began to lose themselves.  Their hearts rotted with wickedness.  It became a corrupt and perverse society.  A society that God had enough of!  He decided that it was best to wipe the slate clean.  Start over.  New beginning.  With His powerful bow, God destroyed the Earth.  His arrows worked in a different fashion than what we are used to seeing from these weapons but, effective nonetheless.  His weapon succeeded.  Mankind (except for Noah’s family) ceased to exist.

After these events, what did God do?  He hung up His bow of power.  He turned it to point up toward the skies, not aiming downward toward the land.  In the presence of Noah, his wife, his son’s, and their wives, God hung His bow before them, vowing never to use it again to destroy the existence of mankind, as He had just done.  

What goes through my mind, any time that His bow appears visible, is: “Thank you, Father, for leaving that bow hanging just where it is!”  Despite how corrupted His people have become, He leaves His bow alone.  No matter how many people despise Him, or twist what He is, God leaves His bow hanging.  Societal issues just go from bad to worse yet, He doesn’t touch His bow.  

I don’t know about you but, it makes me want to improve my life and not give Him a reason to say, “You know what?  I change my mind!”  

Thank you, Father, for your patience with me and with this world, in general.  May we strive to be better children to You.  May we seek Your divine strength and courage to try to make a positive impact in our little piece of this world.  In the name of Your Son, Amen.